Just in - I have my place confirmed for the final on Sunday. This is epic news for both me and Focus Images. It's the culmination of years of hard work to get to this point, and I'm very very pleased. For a small agency like Focus, at our first World Cup, the little confirmation email from FIFA this afternoon means a massive amount.While waiting for the confirmation to come through I went to the local shopping mall in Botafogo here in Rio to have a nose around. I didn't really have nything to get but it was nice to wander around aimlessly for a bit. I did pop into a couple of sports shops where I noticed Brazil shirts being heavily discounted in large numbers. I took a few pics to send to the papers.With my day's commentary on the footballing situation complete, I headed to Ipanema beach to have a nosey around. I went to the north end again where there are some big rock outcrops that could yield some interesting pictures for a decent photographer. I took Elizabeth's mini tripod with me which has been excellent as it's small enough to go in my shoulder bag.It's a lovely area that I tried to do some justice to. There was a large swell and some decent sized waves going on after a storm passed through overnight (lots and lots of rain!). Without further ado, here are a small selection of pics for you.Nice light again on Ipanema. Just gorgeous. I sat and watched for a while rather than taking pictures just to soak it up a bit as it'll soon be time to leave. I stopped off at TT Burger for a very nice "gourmet" burger on the walk back to the top of Copacabana, which was surging with Argentinians singing that really annoying song that they sing. Along the walk I got the confirmation email for my place in the final and tried numerous hotels to get into their rooftop bars for a celebratory drink but they are all guest-only and they wouldn't let me in. Oh well - I made my way back to the apartment for a cold beer and to sort my pics out.Tomorrow is restricted access training and press conference at the Maracana and we have to queue up at 10am to get a pass for the pressers that start at 4pm. Hooray.